Arlo
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baumbachaflocka · ‎2023-12-04

The old app worked great with geofencing, it would not arm unless every device left the area. Now it always arms if just 1 person leaves. My system is configuration is the following: anyone arrives> standby, everyone leaves> arm away

They are both set to always enabled and I have made sure that both my devices are setup correctly with always allowing precise location, notifications and do not have battery saver on. Its so frustrating because the old app worked great and the new one is so bad and we were forced to switch when we added the new cameras.

More info there is 1 iphone and 1 android phone used for geofencing, I have it set to the largest area and no other automations except for the geofencing ones.

ShayneS · 2024-09-03

Hi,

Can you try utilizing this setup for your schedules with the Arrive/Leave feature and let me know the results?

1. Select Routines > Automations > Select the (+) to create the desired schedules (When created, schedules will be listed under the Schedules section)

2. Create and enable the Arrive automation under > Select Automations > Select the (+) > Add Action > Change Mode > Select Standby > Next > Add an Action > Enable/Disable an Automation > Select the desired schedule > Next > Select Enable > Next

3. Create and enable the Leave automation under > Select Automations > Select the (+) > Add Action > Change Mode > Select Arm Away > Next > Add an Action > Enable/Disable an Automation > Select the desired schedule > Next > Select Disable > Next > Save

When completed you should see your options listed under the Arrive/Leave section under Automations

Thank you

alex_loo · ‎2024-09-29

@StephenB wrote:
@alex_loo wrote:

Can't imagine there is such product that says you can skip subscription and then when it reports something, you can't see what has been reported.

Have you seen this?
https://kb.arlo.com/000062312/What-options-will-I-have-when-the-Arlo-trial-ends
It gives more details on what you lose when you don't subscribe.

read it (again) and am more certain I don't need subscription.

@StephenB wrote:
There are some situations where you don't need (or want) storage. For instance, if you use a camera in a baby's room, you usually just want the live view (and likely are turning off notifications). FWIW, even if you cannot see any captured video, you can immediately look at the live camera view when you get the notification.

I find getting playing live right after receiving notification of very limited use. Due to the huge time lack there. Every time when I play live, the reported thing is already gone almost every time. Playback of storage can at least give a highlight of the notification.

Well, unless for the case when somebody is breaking. After receiving notification, hopefully I can play live and be able to see the burglar still walking around after a few minutes.

Alex

rmand2601 · ‎2024-10-01

I’ve been an Arlo customer for years. System always worked. Upgraded to new app - geo fencing stopped working.

Have updated active device

Have updated geo locations for home and away

Have ensured that phone geolocation is working.

Can see that in Away mode - Arlo app is showing current location

Can trigger mode changes manually through app.

It still will not change modes (Home versus Away) when I leave home area.

What to do now?

BTW - the new app is horrible! UI is non-intuitive.

Please help fix this or I’ll just go buy a new system from someone else.

jguerdat · ‎2024-10-02

Start by reading this FAQ and the links in it:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062777/About-Arlo-Routines-Modes-Rules-and-Automations

Geofencing can be a bit of an issue. First any phone used must always be logged in. Then the setup can be tricky if using schedules or some of the undocumented options. Screenshots of your GF automations may be useful for suggestions. Also, try switching between Everyone Leaves/Arrives and Specific People which seems to make a difference for me.

rmand2601 · ‎2024-10-02

Thanks for the input. I've read the FAQ previously and completed all suggestions. I've had the Arlo for years - no problems. This all started when I updated to the new Arlo app. I've switched between "Everyone Leaves"/"Specfic People". I've deleted active devices, re-installed app, resaved geo location, etc. Makes me think this is an app/iOS version issue as I also updated my iPhone recently to 17.7. Does v18 have this issue?

Other people on Reddit have reported geo issues with new app. One guy just manually switches between Home/Away - he's just given up.

Thoughts?

alex_loo · ‎2024-10-02

@jguerdat wrote:
Start by reading this FAQ and the links in it:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062777/About-Arlo-Routines-Modes-Rules-and-Automations

Reading this AGAIN and this is not my first time seeing suggestions on these FAQ type of documents. They have nicely documented the features that are on offer.

THE ONLY PROBLEM IS, THE APPS ARE SO BUGGY THEY ARE SIMPLY NOT DOING WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

And then users like us keep wondering whether it's our fault with the config/ setting blah blah blah --- eventually getting nowhere. It's the BUG with the ARLO software!

@jguerdat wrote:

Geofencing can be a bit of an issue. First any phone used must always be logged in. Then the setup can be tricky if using schedules or some of the undocumented options.

Personally I don't find the necessary setup tricky. It's actually making sense to me.

Well, *IF* it ever works.

Alex

alex_loo · ‎2024-10-02

@rmand2601 wrote:
Other people on Reddit have reported geo issues with new app. One guy just manually switches between Home/Away - he's just given up.
Thoughts?

hi @rmand2601 , I am with you that geofencing is not working properly.

I used the term "properly", since:

There are quite a few times I have seen geofencing (everybody leaves then trigger; anyone returns then trigger) WORKING --- yes, working, but NOT always. For example, it *often* fails with my wife's iPhone returning home but NOT triggering (when it should). And still, I have seen a few times the same situation WORKS (to my surprise/amazed haha). This tells me that the geofencing issue has nothing to do with any wrong app setup. ARLO app is just NOT consistent with its geofencing behaviour, for some reason out of our control.

The fact that many people like you reporting "app was perfect before!" points to that the issue has nothing to do with android/iOS/hardware device --- since these haven't changed from "perfect" to "not working". The only thing that's changed is the app, which is apparently buggy.

I'd say bug is not end of world, but ARLO needs to acknowledge it and socialize any interim solution and upcoming fix schedule. Instead of letting desparate users like me yelling like a mad man here.

Alex

rmand2601 · ‎2024-10-02

So it would seem that others in the Arlo user base are having geofencing problems. This is an Arlo support community hosted by Arlo. No one from the company is present on this or other related threads? Am I missing something here? They have a bug - the problem is reproducible by too many people - but no one is around to address this issue here or on Reddit? They don't have a user support team or a QA team? No timeline to fix the app, define a workaround, etc

People here seem to be interacting with the best intentions. But a bug or app failure is something that a company addresses with its user base.

What's going on here? Is this company on life support?

grahamam107 · ‎2024-10-02

@rmand2601 my assumption is that Arlo is a totally unethical company that uses high school work experience students to write their software. I am in Australia, and if Arlo were an Australian company I would have long ago pursued them through the Australian Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (ACCC). I assume there are some US users on this thread? Are there any similar US bodies that a consumer complaint against Arlo could be raised? If so, I would be seeking a refund of the cost of subscription since the app was upgraded, plus the total cost of all cameras and base station that have been made useless by the app upgrade.

alex_loo · ‎2024-10-02

@grahamam107 wrote:
I am in Australia, and if Arlo were an Australian company I would have long ago pursued them through the Australian Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (ACCC).

hi @grahamam107 , Australia (Sydney) here too 😁

Understand ARLO is an US company. Are you saying they can't be sued thru ACCC? They have ARLO Australia office anyhow.

Alex

StephenB · ‎2024-10-03

@rmand2601 wrote:

Thanks for the input. I've read the FAQ previously and completed all suggestions. I've had the Arlo for years - no problems. This all started when I updated to the new Arlo app. I've switched between "Everyone Leaves"/"Specfic People". I've deleted active devices, re-installed app, resaved geo location, etc. Makes me think this is an app/iOS version issue as I also updated my iPhone recently to 17.7. Does v18 have this issue?

Everyone Leave/Anyone Arrive is working on my iPhone 12 mini (which is running iOS 17.7). The app version is 5.02.

Your Arrive Automation appears to be configured incorrectly. It appears to be set to only run when the system is already in Arm Home mode (and it then switches to Arm Home mode - so it accomplishes nothing). Arrive needs to be enabled in whatever mode you switch to when you leave. Similarly, Leave needs to be enabled in whatever modes you use when you are home. The simplest thing is to enable both automations in all modes.

rmand2601 · ‎2024-10-03

@StephenB Thanks for the suggestion - it worked! Appreciate the help. Not to be presumptuous, but there are enough people having geofencing problems with the new app version that if you felt like doing a general post here or on Reddit, you might solve a few problems. Can't say for sure that they are all related to Automation modes.

My opinion...the UI on the new app is hugely non intuitive. Some of the configuration requirements (like the one I was having) being non-obvious. I presume Arlo, being a small company, does not have an internal UX team or outsources much of the app code.

alex_loo · ‎2024-10-03

@StephenB wrote:
Everyone Leave/Anyone Arrive is working on my iPhone 12 mini (which is running iOS 17.7). The app version is 5.02.

Hi @StephenB , are you having more than 1 device in your setup?

I have main account on Android app (feed version), plus wife's iPhone logging in the my same ARLO account. Standard geofencing automation (all deviecs away then switch to ARM AWAY; 1 device back then switch to ARM HOME).

I have seen above geofencing WORKING. Trouble is: they are not working all the time. Examples:

When both devices are away and ARLO correctly at ARM AWAY, wife's iPhone returning home does NOT trigger geofencing back to ARM HOME. This issue is on an "often" level. Remaning times working fine.
When both devices are away and ARLO correctly at ARM AWAY, both devices returning home together does NOT trigger geofencing back to ARM HOME. This issue is on a "sometimes" level. Remaning times working fine.
Both devices are at home and ARLO correctly at ARM HOME. When both devices are leaving home together (driving out), geofencing does NOT trigger to ARM AWAY. This issue is on a "sometimes" level. Remaning times working fine.

Thoughts?

Alex

StephenB · ‎2024-10-04

@rmand2601 wrote:

Not to be presumptuous, but there are enough people having geofencing problems with the new app version that if you felt like doing a general post here or on Reddit, you might solve a few problems. Can't say for sure that they are all related to Automation modes.

There are still bugs with geofencing, and Arlo certainly has to create a way for Arrive/Leave to follow the schedule immediately, and not wait for the next trigger event.

As far as Reddit and other forums go: keeping up with this forum already takes quite a bit of my time, and I don't think I can stretch to engaging in others.

@rmand2601 wrote:
My opinion...the UI on the new app is hugely non intuitive. Some of the configuration requirements (like the one I was having) being non-obvious.

Scheduling and Geofencing weren't that intuitive with the old app either. Though it was always possible, unfortunately at the moment that still isn't the case with the new one.

My own opinion is that many of the changes are improvements. Some are not, and some defects in the old UI still remain. For example, splitting off smart notifications doesn't make any sense to me, and the placement of that config is certainly not an obvious place to look. Personally, I'd have put them in the default mode settings for the camera, and have an override in the mode. Another is that the AI engine only tags one category. When there is a mix of vehicle, people, and animals in the scene, I think it would be better to have multiple tags.

@rmand2601 wrote:

I presume Arlo, being a small company, does not have an internal UX team or outsources much of the app code.

FWIW, Arlo has about 500 employees (based on google search, not personal knowledge). My guess is that they do have their own UX team. They could outsource some development, but I am thinking they'd be more likely to outsource tier 1 support and manufacturing. The cloud software, camera firmware, and app are highly coupled, so it would be tricky to outsource one part of that mix.

StephenB · ‎2024-10-04

@alex_loo wrote:

@StephenB wrote:

Everyone Leave/Anyone Arrive is working on my iPhone 12 mini (which is running iOS 17.7). The app version is 5.02.

Hi @StephenB , are you having more than 1 device in your setup?

Just one device.

FWIW, at this point I don't need geofencing to work. I'm just kicking the tires, so I have a better understanding of what needs to be fixed.

@alex_loo wrote:
I have main account on Android app (feed version), plus wife's iPhone logging in the my same ARLO account. Standard geofencing automation (all deviecs away then switch to ARM AWAY; 1 device back then switch to ARM HOME).

I have seen above geofencing WORKING. Trouble is: they are not working all the time. Examples:

When both devices are away and ARLO correctly at ARM AWAY, wife's iPhone returning home does NOT trigger geofencing back to ARM HOME. This issue is on an "often" level. Remaning times working fine.

When both devices are away and ARLO correctly at ARM AWAY, both devices returning home together does NOT trigger geofencing back to ARM HOME. This issue is on a "sometimes" level. Remaning times working fine.

Both devices are at home and ARLO correctly at ARM HOME. When both devices are leaving home together (driving out), geofencing does NOT trigger to ARM AWAY. This issue is on a "sometimes" level. Remaning times working fine.

I haven't had my setup working long enough to know if it is 100% reliable.

Just to clarify -

Are you using "Everyone Leaves" and "Anyone Arrives"?
Or are you using "specific devices"?

Whichever you are using, you might want to try the other one.

alex_loo · ‎2024-10-04

@StephenB wrote:
@alex_loo wrote:
Hi @StephenB , are you having more than 1 device in your setup?
Just one device.

FWIW, at this point I don't need geofencing to work. I'm just kicking the tires, so I have a better understanding of what needs to be fixed.

I have tried only 1 device (my android) and it was working great. Including all timed schedules and all geofencing (away triggers, back triggers). The mess happened when there are more than 1 device.

@StephenB wrote:
Just to clarify -
Are you using "Everyone Leaves" and "Anyone Arrives"?
Or are you using "specific devices"?
Whichever you are using, you might want to try the other one.

Yes, I am using "everyone leaves" and "anyone arrives". It is not working:

under scenario of 2 devices, 1 account
under scenario of 2 devices, 2 accounts (2nd one being shared)

I have also tried the other "specific devices". No luck. Have you tried this and working for you?

Alex

jguerdat · ‎2024-10-04

Just to jump in here briefly, I have 2 Android phones in use for GF with no problems. The second phone is using a shared account.

StephenB · ‎2024-10-04

@alex_loo wrote:
I have also tried the other "specific devices". No luck. Have you tried this and working for you?

Not yet. I am planning to leave the automations as they are for a week or so, so I can see how reliably they work.

Jeffi · ‎2024-10-04

@alex_loo

Things are not perfect for me but generally work most of the time. I've found the following:

Geofencing works reliably for a few days then seems to stop for no apparent reason. It stopped earlier this week and again today, with our phones being on the previous earlier in the week and now the current version of the app released. We're both on iPhones iOS 18.0.1. So the recent iOS and app update didn't give a reliable fix.

What fixed it for me when I noticed geofencing didn't kick in as expected when we both left the house? Logging out the app and back in!

For the earlier week issue it was my phone that needed the app to be re-logged in to trigger geofencing. Today it was the other person's phone needing re-logging in to the app.

So as soon as the geofence hasn't triggered as expected, I log out, log back in to the app on the phones. Happened twice this week.

StephenB · ‎2024-10-04

@Jeffi wrote:

So as soon as the geofence hasn't triggered as expected, I log out, log back in to the app on the phones. Happened twice this week.

The app is supposed to keep running in the background all the time, and geofencing depends on that.

But several users have found over the years that it doesn't always do that. Some periodically log into the app periodically just to be sure. FWIW, you shouldn't have to log out (though it does no harm). Logging in should be enough.

alex_loo · ‎2024-10-05

@StephenB wrote:
@alex_loo wrote:
I have also tried the other "specific devices". No luck. Have you tried this and working for you?
Not yet. I am planning to leave the automations as they are for a week or so, so I can see how reliably they work.

There are 2 types of automations: "schedules" and "arrive/leave".

If you are only referring to "automation schedules", I can share my experience that it has been working perfectly fine.

Android device + iPhone device
both cases of accounts work fine:
- primary account + shared 2nd account
- both devices using primary account
2330 schedule changing mode to "Standby"
0730 schedule changing mode to "ARM HOME"

Alex

alex_loo · ‎2024-10-05

@Jeffi wrote:

So as soon as the geofence hasn't triggered as expected, I log out, log back in to the app on the phones. Happened twice this week.

Thanks, that's good suggestion.

BTW, every time I noticed the geofencing doesn't trigger (the mode switch), I just manually switch the mode from the app.

Alex

StephenB · ‎2024-10-05

@alex_loo wrote:

@StephenB wrote:

@alex_loo wrote:
I have also tried the other "specific devices". No luck. Have you tried this and working for you?

Not yet. I am planning to leave the automations as they are for a week or so, so I can see how reliably they work.

There are 2 types of automations: "schedules" and "arrive/leave".

Of course I know that. The schedule automations have been in place for a while now, and do work reliably for me. That includes automations that change the mode, but also automations that just tell a camera to record.

It took a while for me to get Arrive/Leave to trigger, so they haven't been in place long enough for me to assess how often they fail. I will leave them untouched for a while, so I don't muddy the waters while I'm doing that.

I am puzzled that @Jeffi's setup fully works (engaging the scheduled mode immediately when he arrives), but I haven't had a chance to check that on my own setup.

alex_loo · ‎2024-10-05

@StephenB wrote:
@alex_loo wrote:
There are 2 types of automations: "schedules" and "arrive/leave".
Of course I know that. The schedule automations have been in place for a while now, and do work reliably for me. That includes automations that change the mode, but also automations that just tell a camera to record.

this is my side question .... I know the automations can tell a camera to record. But to be honest, I have no idea why/when I want to do that. Since the automation schedules can only be sunrise/sunset/time triggered, I would imagine recording at those moments will give no movement/no sound at all.

@StephenB wrote:
It took a while for me to get Arrive/Leave to trigger, so they haven't been in place long enough for me to assess how often they fail. I will leave them untouched for a while, so I don't muddy the waters while I'm doing that.

So far (and how long has this been?), have your arrive/leave automations failed, at least once?

Alex

StephenB · ‎2024-10-05

@alex_loo wrote:
@StephenB wrote:

It took a while for me to get Arrive/Leave to trigger, so they haven't been in place long enough for me to assess how often they fail. I will leave them untouched for a while, so I don't muddy the waters while I'm doing that.

So far (and how long has this been?), have your arrive/leave automations failed, at least once?

About three days ago. They haven't failed yet, but there haven't been many times I've crossed the geofence boundary.

Jeffi · ‎2024-10-05

@StephenB

I am puzzled that @Jeffi's setup fully works (engaging the scheduled mode immediately when he arrives), but I haven't had a chance to check that on my own setup.

It's not 100% reliable though and this could be a combo of my flawed configuration logic plus the app bugs we are all experiencing. Plus we think the scenario where everyone is away for more than 24 hours trips up the logic until another mode change occurs when someone returns back home.

Here's my last 24 hours of use with geofencing appearing to work but it did miss one event - Yesterday afternoon I was home but my partner left for work, with the mode continuing in Arm Home as expected. I then left to walk the dog well beyond the geofence radius, but the mode did not switch to Arm Away. My partner returned home while I was away, and then I returned home. This event where we were both away at some point was missed. But maybe it was only apparently missed, so despite there being no notification and mode change, it still entered Arm Away mode?

Seems fine this morning though with us both walking the dog.

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